NFR reaching out to drivers’ families for greater safety

May 9, 2018

Guwahati, May 8: Adequate safety of train operation has been the most pivotal issue concerning running of trains. It is the train drivers who run the train during day and night carrying thousand of passenger to various destinations. So, their mental as well as physical fitness is of great importance for observing all safety aspects. In order to boost the morale of drivers who are called Loco Pilots, a safety seminar-cum-awareness programme was held at the ZRTI (Zonal Railway Training Institute) located at Alipurduar on May 3, 2018. Safety seminars are held quite regularly for the counseling of train drivers. But this time, in a unique gesture, the families of the drivers were invited. Wives and children of drivers attended in large numbers, discussed their problems and shared their experiences. Authorities gave a patient hearing to all issues like need for improvement of staff quarters, better children education etc. 24 families participated in the seminar and more are expected in similar seminars planned in the future. Several positive suggestions as well as feedback were also received during the course of discussion. It may be mentioned here that, Indian Railway has crew changing lobbies at various important stations, where drivers handover and take over duties at the beginning and end of their scheduled trips. There are also running rooms at many locations with provision of lodging and food facilities are provided. Here they can take adequate rest before taking up their next train operation duty. The ultimate objective is to ensure a stress free working condition for drivers, because it is their judgment that the safe operation of train depend.